Title: The Dark Chronicles of Willow and Tara - How Love Saved the World
Author: Bellalocke
Description: After a long week, Tara and Willow finally hang out and spend some time together.
Rating: This Chapter is rated PG-13 for shenanigans
Ownership: Please do not cross-post this story without talking to me first.
Note: Tara, Willow, and other characters associated with BTVS belong to Joss, ME, and all other affiliates. Please don't sue me I am a poor IT contractor.
Spoilers: Aside from some dialogue here and there, none whatsoever. This fic is completely AU
Feedback: Always welcome and encouraged.
Author Note: Chance, a fellow kitten, is my beta as well as my sensitivity reader. This story would not have been possible without him. Not only did he help me navigate the delicate elements of this story whilst not being triggering, but he also inspired me and helped me make this fic what it is. I owe you everything, brother.
Author Note 2: A song will be linked in this chapter. I encourage to you give it a listen. From this point on, music will play an important part in certain chapters. Plus, it is just plain old fun!
Thoughts are in
italicsAs Always, I will try to be true to Willow and Tara.
Now onto the good stuff!
Chapter 5 "Do you want to leave your bag here or take it with you?" Willow asked as she looked at the taller girl.
"I would like to keep it h-here," Tara answered. "I've been schlepping that thing around all d-day and my back needs a b-break."
The redhead grabbed her wallet and keys. When Tara made a move to grab her wallet, Willow shook her head.
“Dinner is on me tonight.”
Tara went to protest but knew that it would fall on deaf ears when she saw the iron resolve on Willow’s face.
“I see you recognize my resolve face,” Willow chuckled. “You are learning fast.”
“S-Since you are b-buying dinner, I get to choose where we go.”
Willow’s face paled for a second as she tried to think about how much money she had in her account while she was waiting for the rest of her funds to transfer over and become available.
Tara gave the emerald-eyed witch a lopsided smile. “Don’t worry, I know two good places that are close, open late, and most importantly, not expensive. Do you like Thai or Indian food?”
“Hmmm…” Willow pondered. “I’ve never had Thai, and I am feeling adventurous, so why don’t we try that?”
“Sounds g-good. Why don’t we head out? L-Lunch was a long time ago for me.”
Willow nodded as she opened the door and allowed Tara out first before stepping out into the hallway. After double-checking that she had her wallet, the redhead locked up her room and headed down the corridor with Tara. After taking the lift down to the ground floor, both witches exited the dorm.
“The restaurant is close to the café we h-hung out at on Monday,” Tara said. “Do you r-remember the way?”
Willow nodded and turned left as soon as they came to the sidewalk outside of McLean. Both girls spent the fifteen-minute walk in companionable silence until they reached the restaurant. The redhead noted that the place looked like a hole-in-the-wall restaurant; one that you wouldn’t notice unless you knew where to look. Standing outside the restaurant, Tara turned towards Willow.
“Do you t-trust me to order for us b-both?”
“Of course,” Willow smiled.
Tara’s face brightened. “Any f-food allergies or things you don’t l-like?”
Willow shook her head and entered the restaurant first as Tara held the door open for her.
“Are you ok eating h-here?”
“Yes.” Willow looked around. “This place seems awesome.”
The restaurant was small, with only a few booths and some tables available, but it felt warm and inviting. A young man approached the pair and led them to one of the two window booths in the restaurant. As Tara ordered food for them, Willow looked at the walls around them and noticed that they were covered in pictures that were taken in Thailand. She couldn’t help but smile when she saw a large, framed picture of several elephants and their caretakers. Noting the name of the sanctuary, Willow mentally added it to her bucket list of places she wanted to visit someday.
Willow turned her attention back to Tara who was smiling as she watched the redhead take in the atmosphere and pictures that lined the walls. The waiter returned in short order and placed two glasses in front of both women as well as a large pitcher between the two of them. Looking at the table, Willow saw that the pitcher contained what looked like lemonade.
Willow quirked an eyebrow.
“Thai limeade. It is one of my favorite drinks. I h-hope you like it.”
The redheaded witch took a sip and a look of delight crossed her face. “Very delicious and dangerously addictive.”
Willow looked into Tara’s blue eyes and let out an inward sigh.
I am so happy to be here with her. This last week was absolute murder, but at least I won’t have to worry about not seeing her again or being able to contact her. I wonder if she is getting more comfortable with me? Even though that stutter of hers is completely endearing, I want her to be comfortable with me. I want to be her best friend, and I hope she will be mine.Across the table, Tara was similarly lost in her thoughts as she looked into the shining green eyes of the woman she was quickly coming to regard as a friend.
Willow is so open and trusting. She even let me order food for us not knowing what I would choose. How does she do that? I wish that I was more comfortable with her. Trusting people is still so hard, and I wish that it wasn’t, but I want to trust her. I will learn to trust her. I meant it when I told Cyndi that Willow feels comfortable, like a well-worn pair of jeans or a favorite sweater. Why is this so hard? We hardly know each other, and yet being here with her feels like coming home to an old friend. I hope that feeling never goes away. I will learn to trust her no matter how hard I have to work or how scary it feels.Both women continued to gaze at each other for a moment before Willow broke the silence with a smile.
“What are you majoring in?”
Tara took a sip of her limeade before answering. “F-Fine Art. S-Someday, I hope to work in an m-museum and help r-restore paintings. W-What about you?”
“Astronomy,” Willow answered. “I am not sure if I want to specialize in Observational Astronomy or Astrophysics, but I have plenty of time to decide that. Have you always been into art?”
“To one d-degree or another. W-Watching my mom work for The M-Modern Art Oxford museum as a curator really s-sparked my interest in working in the field albeit in a d-different way.”
Willow looked up as the server arrived with a tray that had several different dishes. As he laid them out on the table, her mouth began to water as a variety of aromas infused her senses.
Tara smiled softly as she watched the other witch’s eyes go wide with all the food being laid out on the table.
“I-I thought we could share dishes. Is that o-ok?”
“Hell yes!” Willow cheered. “I love variety, and all of this looks delicious. Though I hope you don’t expect us to eat all of this?”
Tara laughed. “Even on my w-worst days, when I am the b-biggest chowhound you will ever s-see, there is no way I could eat even h-half of this. Thai food keeps well t-though and isn't bad when you r-reheat it, so I f-figured it would be ok to g-get a few dishes.”
After Willow nodded, Tara started pointing out the different dishes. A noodle dish that she called Pad Thai, Pineapple fried rice which was served in a carved out half pineapple, Thai green curry, and Mango sticky rice for dessert. The two women spooned out portions of the different dishes while helping one another when a given dish was too far away.
“The green c-curry is the only dish here that has some k-kick to it. I m-made sure to tell them to only make it medium s-spicy.”
“I like my food with a little kick to it.”
Tara smiled, pleased with the fact that Willow seemed very happy with the food that she had ordered as well as the fact that she liked spicy food.
Willow took a bite of the green curry. “My gods! This is amazing.”
Tara chewed on some of the Pad Thai making sure to not let any of the noodles or sauce fall on her shirt. “I am so glad you l-like it. Green c-curry is one of my favorite dishes. M-Maybe next time we can get it with t-tiger prawns?”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Willow tried a bite of the Pineapple fried rice and was surprised that the dish had a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Both women continued to eat all the dishes before them and simply enjoyed the company of one another. Conversation flowed freely between them as they took their time eating.
“How l-long have you been playing the c-cello?”
Willow wiped her mouth with her napkin and placed her fork down on her plate.
“My father signed me up for lessons when I was seven. Especially once I expressed no interest in sports or dancing.”
Tara smiled and nodded, encouraging the other witch to continue.
“The first year that I was learning was really hard. I felt so discouraged, but then I started to get better. Playing the cello became my happy and safe place, especially as I grew older. My teacher told me that I had a lot of talent and that I could play professionally if I kept up with practicing. Dad attended all of my recitals and was so proud of me.”
“W-What about your m-mom?” Tara asked.
Willow frowned. “Mom wasn’t around a lot. I don’t know that she has ever heard me play…”
Tara felt sad that the other witch did not have a good relationship with her mother. She could not imagine her mom not being there for her despite the years they were forced to spend apart.
“You are r-really g-good at playing the cello. Is there a r-reason you chose to not p-pursue it professionally?”
“Music, more specifically playing the cello, has always been a refuge for me. Especially when I am feeling things that I cannot express with words. I didn’t want to make a career of it for fear that I would no longer be able to do that. Plus, aside from playing the cello, I have always had a love for science.”
Tara grinned. “S-Same, though in a different w-way. A lot of p-people don’t realize how much science goes into the r-restoration and conservation of artwork. A l-lot of analysis goes into the m-mediums that artists used to c-create their w-works of art. M-Most of the analysis r-requires use of t-technology as well as knowledge of the c-chemistry of the paints that artists use. I feel like art r-restoration bridges the g-gap between art and s-science.”
Willow was thoroughly fascinated as continued to listen to Tara talking about the conservation of Art and what kind of education she would need to get into art restoration.
“You are really smart and must be hardworking to want to learn the skills necessary to do such important work. I said before that I am trying to decide between astronomy and theoretical physics. A big part of me wants to go into Astrophysics because it is multidisciplinary and requires a lot of knowledge of different kinds of science; it most certainly provides a challenge, though what you have to learn sounds much more difficult.”
Tara dipped her head as she gave Willow a shy lopsided smile. She was not used to receiving compliments like this. She had never had such an in-depth conversation about what she hoped to do with her life aside from her mother. Tara remembered a conversation she had with her mother about what she wanted to do with her life. The blonde had been so unsure whether she was smart enough to learn what would be needed to do so. Her mother encouraged her to follow her passion and heart. She also assured her daughter that she was indeed smart enough to learn all that she needed to know to pursue the path of art restoration. The witch was surprised when she saw Willow trying to meet her eyes.
“You really are, you know? Smart enough, that is. Plus, we can be study buddies for Chemistry if you want?”
Tara met Willow's gaze. A slight blush crept up her cheeks as she smiled. "I w-would like that."
“Oh! I meant to ask do you play any instruments?”
Tara swallowed her sip of limeade. “I p-play both the piano and the g-guitar. M-Music is my s-safe s-space too.”
Willow clapped her hands excitedly. “I would love to hear you play sometime. That is if you feel comfortable doing so. I usually don’t play for anyone, but I really enjoyed playing for you, and I think it would be awesome to hear you play songs that you really enjoy. What kind of music do you like? Can I make a playlist for you? Music is kind of a big deal for me and I have always wanted to bond with someone over it. Oh, look at me, babbling again… Why do I babble? This is so
awkward. I really need to stop…”
A Mona Lisa smile crept up on Tara’s face as she started to giggle. Willow stopped babbling immediately, her face flush with embarrassment.
“I’m not r-really that g-good, but if you really want to h-hear me play, I will for y-you. I think it w-would be cool if you made a p-playlist for me too. Do you w-want me to m-make you one too?”
Willow flashed the blonde a brilliant smile as a rosy glow settled on her cheeks. “I would love for you to share music that you love.”
When both women had finished eating the mango with sticky rice and polished off the limeade, the waiter came over and removed the plates explaining that he would package up the leftovers and bring them back along with the check. The waiter returned a few minutes later. When the young man handed her the check, Willow was surprised at how low it was given the amount of food they had ordered. She made sure to leave a good tip for the waiter and promised that she would most definitely be returning.
The walk back to Willow’s dorm was spent in comfortable silence. Neither witch seemed to be lost in thought but simply happy to be in presence of the other. Willow was sad to see the evening end once they reached her dorm. Looking at Tara as she stood in the middle of her room, the redhead steeled herself to ask what she considered to be an important question.
Willow took a moment to figure out how to preface her question.
“Tara, I have a question that may seem small and silly, but it is important for me to know. Can I consider you my friend? I mean… are we friends?”
The green-eyed witch looked up at the taller girl, eyes full of hope.
Tara gave Willow a lopsided grin. “I enjoy y-your c-company, Willow. S-So yes, I s-see us as f-friends.”
Willow smiled back at Tara. She struggled to refrain from hugging the other girl sensing that personal space was a must for the blonde.
“Can I walk you back to your dorm?”
As Tara nodded, Willow took the other woman’s backpack and slung it over her shoulders. The walk across campus was once again silent; both women reeling from the knowledge that they had made a new friend. When they had reached Harley dormitory, Tara turned towards Willow.
“W-Well, this is m-me.”
Be brave, Tara. You can be brave. If you want to really be friends with her, you need to let her in, if only a little bit.Willow noticed that the blonde seemed to be a little lost in thought.
“Good night, Tara. Tonight was really fun, and I hope we can hang out soon.”
The sound of Willow’s voice broke through the other witch’s stream of thought. Realizing that Willow was doing her best to afford her space and not push her, Tara made up her mind.
The redhead was turning to leave figuring that the night was over for them both.
“W-Would you l-like to c-c-come inside?”
The question surprised Willow. She turned around and smiled as she nodded her head. The redhead followed Tara into the dormitory. Willow noted how quiet the first floor seemed to be. The absence of the normal ruckus that usually occupied the hallways of McLean was foreign but welcome. Tara pulled out her keys when they reached the end of the room. Willow was intensely curious about what the other girl's room looked like. Tara walked across the room and plugged in her fairy lights. The redhead was surprised at how different Tara's room was compared to her own but felt that the room perfectly suited her friend.
Once the soft glow of the fairy lights illuminated Tara’s room, Willow took in the atmosphere and began looking around the space. Wallcoverings were hung all around the walls. Ranging from dark burgundy to midnight blue, they gave the room a sense of intimacy. As she looked, she noticed a large trunk at the foot of Tara’s double bed and wondered what was within. In the left corner across the room, she noticed an easel with a painting that had loosely tented cotton covering over it. The right corner held a keyboard, bench, and a guitar that was perched on a stand. Turning behind her, Willow found a large bookshelf that appeared to have old magic tomes as well as other magical supplies. On one shelf, she noticed a doll’s eye crystal.
Tara noticed the other witch looking at the crystal. She crossed the room and stood beside Willow.
Pulling the crystal off the bookshelf, the taller girl looked at the redhead. “W-Would you l-like to hold it?”
Willow nodded and Tara handed her the crystal. As she held it, the green-eyed girl immediately noticed that the crystal felt warm. She took a moment to still her mind to get a better feel for the crystal. It felt immeasurably old and powerful but full of positive emotions and what felt like the memories of the witches who possessed the crystal. Willow couldn’t really see or hear the memories but felt them tickling the edge of her mind.
Tara observed Willow as she held the crystal. She noticed the faintest hint of a golden glow envelope the other witch.
“This c-crystal has been in my family for a very l-long time,” Tara said. “Not even my m-mother is sure how old it is. What we d-do know is that the witches in our f-family have used it as a focus when performing s-spells. I have n-not used it yet, but m-mom wanted me to h-have it in case I needed it.”
“It feels so old, really powerful, but also filled with so much love and light.”
Willow gingerly handed the crystal back to Tara who carefully placed it back on the shelf. Tara turned around she pulled her desk chair out from underneath the table and rolled it over towards her bed. As she sat down on the edge of her bed, Tara motioned for Willow to sit down in the chair. Afterward, she began unlacing her boots and removing them from her tired feet. As each boot came off, the blonde sighed in relief.
“W-Walking around campus for t-twelve hours is not the b-best way to break in a new p-pair of Doc Martens.”
Willow giggled while feeling sorry for her friend. “Yeah, but they look so cool. I wish that I had a pair.”
“I c-could take you to a s-shop that sells them sometime. If y-you want to that is?”
“That would be wonderful, Tara. I really like hanging out with you and am grateful for any time I get to spend with you.”
Tara gave the other witch a lopsided grin. “M-M-Me too. D-Do you have plans for t-tomorrow?”
“None that I can think of?”
“I f-found this r-really cool p-place on campus,” Tara said. “I was p-planning on g-going there tomorrow. W-Would you like to come with me?”
“That sounds awesome! What would we be doing?”
Tara’s heart warmed at the excitement evident in Willow’s voice. “W-Well I was thinking about magic and a lot of the things we discussed the first n-night we hung out. H-How would you f-feel about meditating w-with me? When my m-mom started t-teaching me, m-meditation was the f-first exercise we did. I t-think that it may h-help you begin to h-harness your power.”
“You think I have power?”
Tara nodded. “I k-know you do. I s-saw it when I read your aura that n-night at the café.”
Willow looked at Tara as the other witch’s gaze fell downward. “What’s wrong?”
“If I t-t-tell you something, d-do you p-promise not to b-be mad?”
The redhead frowned when she heard Tara stutter so much. “I could never be mad at you, Tara.”
“M-My ability to read auras sometimes allows me t-to see more than the colors p-present. I can sometimes s-see if a person h-holds magical p-potential. A-At least that is what I t-think. You are the very first p-person, aside from my mom, whose aura I have read. I s-saw some t-things that I am n-not sure about. N-Nothing bad, but I need to t-talk with mom about it. S-She is out of t-town for a few weeks, but I am hoping she w-will be able to help. S-She will probably w-want to talk with you. I h-hope that is o-ok…”
Tara lowered her head and allowed her blonde hair to cover most of her face. She didn’t want to see the anger that she was sure was present on Willow’s face.
Willow bent down again trying to meet Tara's gaze. "I am not mad at you at all. I am happy that my aura is the first one you ever read; it makes me feel special.”
Tara met Willow’s green eyes with a look of complete and utter surprise. The redhead didn't look mad at all. Instead, she
saw the joy and happiness dancing in Willow’s eyes.
“So, you think meditating will help with what you saw?”
“It c-can’t hurt. P-Plus, it is the first s-step in learning m-magic properly.”
Willow adjusted her body in the chair so that she was sitting cross-legged. "Can you tell me more about how you learned magic with your mom?"
Tara’s lopsided smile made another appearance. “Mom started with m-meditation. We d-did that for a good n-nine months. S-She explained that it w-was important that I c-commune with the elements, learn how to r-respect them, and s-see if I have an affinity for a s-specific one. The r-reason that the process takes such a long time is because you m-must learn how to h-harness your power to manifest the s-spirits that represent the different elements. Once you can do that, y-you then must learn how to c-communicate with them. Mom explained that s-sometimes learning how to d-do this can take a l-long time, especially w-with the elements you don’t have an affinity for. It t-took me the better part of six months to l-learn how to talk with each spirit. C-Communicating with them is unlike a-anything I have experienced b-before.”
Willow listened carefully as Tara spoke. She found the way that Tara and her mother practiced magic was absolutely fascinating.
Tara continued her explanation. “The r-reason communing with the d-different elements is important is due to the f-fact that when you perform a s-spell, the spirits allow you to b-borrow their p-power. I have found the s-spells that involve the element of e-earth are more powerful than other spells.”
“Does that mean that the element that you have an affinity for is earth?”
Tara nodded. “S-Secondary to earth, I have an affinity for the element of w-water, though it is not as strong as my b-bond with earth. My m-mom told me that it is possible for p-powerful witches to develop a strong bond with all of the elements, but it takes a very long t-time. There is a g-great amount of trust and r-respect for the elements that is r-required to be able to achieve such a f-feat.”
“That sounds amazing!” Willow grinned. “I am really looking forward to meditating and learning more about magic.”
Tara was immensely happy to see Willow’s excitement and enthusiasm for learning magic. “My mom will show you why it is i-important to learn magic the p-proper way. L-Let’s just say that there are consequences if you d-don’t.”
Willow took Tara's warning seriously and suddenly was grateful that she had not been able to perform any spells on her own. The witches continued to talk about magic for a little while before Tara posed a question.
“I know it’s a little l-late, but w-would you like to stay and w-watch a movie with me?”
Willow smiled. “That sounds like a wonderful idea. Since I wasn’t able to see you all week due to frustrating circumstances, I want to spend time with you for as long as you want me around.”
“I r-really like spending time with you t-too. I don’t have a TV, so w-we’ll need to watch the m-movie on my l-laptop.”
Damn it! Where is she going to sit? If she sits in the chair, she might not be able to see the screen without craning her neck. If she sits on the bed, then she may sit too close. I’ve never had anyone sit on a bed with me. I also have never had anyone in here. She respects your space. Be Brave. You can do this.“D-Do you mind s-sitting on the b-bed?”
“I don’t mind that at all. Just let me get my shoes off.”
Willow bent over and took her shoes off leaving her in a mismatched pair of socks; one with cute dancing penguins and the other with rainbow stripes.
Tara looked at the redhead. “N-Nice socks. Aren’t t-they supposed to m-match?”
Willow grinned. “Where is the fun in that?”
Tara giggled and shook her head.
Willow moved to the other side of the bed. She gingerly sat down and rested against the headboard making sure to give Tara a respectable amount of space so she wouldn’t feel crowded.
Tara felt relieved that Willow was giving her enough space that touching would not be an issue unless it was intentional. Based on her actions throughout the little time they had spent together, she knew that the redhead would not initiate contact with her.
“Is it ok if I choose the movie?”
Willow nodded her head as she watched the other witch move off the bed before circling around it to open her trunk.
Tara took a few minutes to choose a movie. Realizing that she could not make a choice, the blonde grabbed three movies and held them up for Willow to see.
“I can’t c-choose. Will you h-help me?”
Willow nodded as she watched Tara hold up the movies one at a time. The first one was ‘Practical Magic’ followed by ‘Hocus Pocus’ and then ‘Bed knobs and Broom Sticks’.
The redhead grinned as she noticed a common theme among the movies. “I want to watch all of those with you, but how about we start with Practical Magic for tonight?”
The azure-eyed witch gave Willow a lopsided smile as she nodded her head. She bent down in front of the trunk and placed the other two movies back in it before carefully closing the lid. The blonde moved over to her desk and grabbed her laptop. She handed the laptop to Willow before climbing into bed. The witch leaned forward and grabbed the DVD case before settling into her bed. Once she was comfortable, the green-eyed witch handed the laptop back over to her. Tara pressed the button on the side of her computer causing the DVD tray to pop open, popped in the movie, and waited for it to start playing. Tara set it to full screen before placing the laptop on her thighs and settling in to watch the movie.
Nearly two hours later, the movie wrapped up and both witches sat on the bed still smiling at the antics of the movie.
Tara broke the silence. “W-What was your f-favorite scene?”
“I have always loved the midnight Margaritas scene. I always wished that I was old enough and had aunts and a sister that I could do that with.”
Tara giggled. “F-Figures we like the same scene.”
“Is it something that you want to do someday?”
The azure-eyed witch looked pensive for a moment. “I’m not s-sure. I can’t imagine g-getting drunk w-with my mom or Aunt Lydia, b-but I am open to the possibility.”
“I understand. I’ve never had a drink before, and if you can’t tell, I am not exactly the type to go to a bar alone to drink even though I legally can here.”
Tara almost said that maybe she would find someone that she could go and do that with but realized the implication of the thought. She didn’t want the green-eyed witch to think that it was something that she would never feel up for doing with her, or that she flat out did not want to do with her.
Not now, but maybe someday… I have so much work to do to get comfortable with myself and with her. I want to trust her completely, but that feels so far away. If she knew… would she want to be friends with me? Would she look at me the same way? How would she feel if she knew I was gay? I don’t want to lose what friendship we have over that especially since I have zero experience with anyone…Willow observed that her friend seemed to be lost in thought. She noticed that Tara’s face was unreadable, so she had no idea what was going through the blonde’s mind. The redhead saw that Tara was becoming present again and had a serious look on her face that made her visibly gulp.
“O-Oh, I don’t know a-about that, Willow. I can s-see you going with s-some classmates t-to a bar and sing bad karaoke…”
The redhead’s jaw dropped when she heard what the blonde said.
Tara cracked a grin as she began to laugh.
Willow was almost in full-on pout mode when she noticed the mirth in Tara’s eyes and the grin on her face.
“There you go making jokes again. I would be as likely to sing bad karaoke as you would be to dress up as a sexy vampire for All Hallows Eve.”
Tara quirked an eyebrow. “Is t-that a c-challenge then?”
Willow furrowed her brows; worried that she had offended her friend. “No,” she said in a small voice. “I would never… but really, I can sing.”
The blonde’s face softened. “I’m s-sorry, I d-didn’t mean to hurt your f-feelings. W-Would you s-sing for me s-sometime?”
The redhead fought the urge to touch the other witch as a gesture of comfort and understanding.
“Yes. I will sing for you sometime. Who knows? If I ever do get drunk and sing karaoke, I may do it badly... or find some other way to make an ass out of myself.”
Willow started laughing at the thought, and with that laughter, the tension between the two witches melted away.
Once the witches’ laughter subsided, the redhead eyed Tara’s laptop. “Can I see that?”
“S-Sure. W-What are y-you doing?”
Willow grinned. “It’s a surprise.”
The green-eyed girl took the laptop and opened a browser. Making sure that Tara could not see the screen, she did a search of the web and smiled when she found what she was looking for. She sat the computer at the foot of Tara’s bed with the screen facing away from the blonde before rising from the bed and standing in front of her friend.
“Are you ready?”
Tara quirked an eyebrow before nodding.
What is she up to? She looks excited and kind of giddy. Willow smiled as she pressed play. As the beginning notes began to play, Tara grinned.
The redhead began to sing
These Dreams by Heart without missing a beat
Spare a little candle
Save some light for me
Figures up ahead
Moving in the trees
White skin in linen
Perfume on my wrist
And the full moon that hangs over
These dreams in the mistTara was completely floored by how powerful but controlled Willow’s voice was. Without thinking about it, the blonde got up off the bed and went to stand by her friend.
Darkness on the edge
Shadows where I stand
I search for the time
On a watch with no hands
I want to see you clearly
Come closer than this
But all I remember
Are the dreams in the mistTara didn’t have a moment of doubt or an ounce of hesitation when she began to harmonize with Willow on the chorus.
These dreams go on when I close my eyes
Every second of the night I live another life
These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside
Every moment I'm awake the further I'm away
Both witches continued to sing and harmonize together until the song ended. Only when the last note of the song ended did Willow allow herself to turn and face her friend.
Holy hell she has a set of pipes on her!“D-Do I now?”
Willow looked up sheepishly as she blushed. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
Tara’s shoulders shook as she giggled and nodded.
“Well, I stand by what I said. You have a set of pipes on you!”
The blonde blushed and looked away. “T-Thank you.”
“Would you be willing to sing with me again sometime? I’ve never had anyone to sing with, and I really enjoyed doing so with you.”
Tara looked at her friend from out of the corner of her eye.
I can do this. I sang with her, and I was brave. Look at her; she is so happy and excited. Be brave again and say yes.The blonde squared her shoulders and turned towards Willow. She swallowed the lump in her throat and looked into the emerald eyes that were slowly becoming a place where she could find peace and comfort. Seeing the joy and excitement dancing in Willow’s eyes and the broad smile upon her face lessened the doubts and reservations Tara had in her head.
I will be brave.“Yes. I… I would love to sing with you again.”
Willow grinned so hard it hurt. “Yay! Next time you choose the song.”
A lopsided smile appeared on Tara’s face as she nodded in agreement. The blonde took a moment to look at her friend and noticed that the redhead was fidgeting.
“A-Are you ok, Willow?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Finey McFine, just peachy, as happy as clam. Wait, happy as a clam? Who thought of that one to describe being happy? How can clams be happy? Last I checked, mollusks can’t experience happiness…”
Tara stood and looked at her friend with an amused expression on her face. The redhead continued to ramble until she heard the blonde yawn.
“It’s late,” Willow said. “I should get back to my room. Thank you for everything. Am I still seeing you tomorrow?”
Tara covered her mouth as she yawned again. “M-Meet me here around o-one.”
“Sounds good. I will see you then,” Willow smiled and waved. “Thank you for the wonderful evening.”
The witch could only smile and wave back as the redhead turned and left her room.